Nasal filter

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to a nasal filter, characterized by the fact of being formed by a body having two hollow projections which can be located in the nasal fossae and which are provided with respective frusto-conical chambers the major bases of which are closed and provided with a plurality of holes, the minor bases being open; said chambers having two corresponding spheroidal hollow members the laminiform facings of which are perforated and their diameters being somewhat larger than the inside diameters of the minor bases and considerably smaller than the diameters of the major bases of said projections, said spheroid members being filled with filtering substances and said projections being provided with retaining temples to be applied to the outer part of the nasal fossae.

United States Patent [1 1 Olivera [54] NASAL FILTER [76] Inventor: Virgilio Andres Olivera, Austria 2251 3er Piso A, Buenos Aires, Argentina [22] Filed: I July 27, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 275,559

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3/1919 Feltner 128/140 N 5/1914 Cordova 128/140 N Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-1-lenry J. Recla Attorney-Arn0ld B. Christen, Eugene Sabal and George H. MitchelLJr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The present invention refers to a nasal filter, characterized by the fact of being formed by a body having two hollow projections which can be located in the nasal fossae and which are provided with respective frustoconical chambers the major bases of which are closed and provided with a plurality of holes, the minor bases being open; said chambers having two corresponding spheroidal hollow members the laminiform facings of which are perforated and their diameters being some what larger than the inside diameters of the minor bases and considerably smaller than the diameters of the major bases of said projections, said spheroid members being filled with filtering substances and said projections being provided with retaining temples to be applied to the outer part of the nasal fossae.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures NASAL FILTER The present invention refers to a nasal filter providing a removable breathing aid applicable to the nasal fossae, to counteract the noxious effects of breathing contaminated air or air containing impurities detrimental to the health of the breather.

The invention refers to a light-weight, small-size, minimum-cost device preferably of plastic material, which can be discarded when saturated with extraneous substances retained in the filter. Its small size enables it to be carried in a pocket, handbag or similar, until it is required for use.

Its aesthetic and discrete appearance when inserted into the nasal fossae, enhance its efficiency in reducing the pernicious effects of smog floating in the ambient air in streets, closed premises, etc.

In order further to illustrate the object of the present invention, an embodiment thereof has been shown as an example in the two attached diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device, applied to the nasal fossa.

FIG. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the device on an enlarged scale.

Like numerals represent like or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

As can be seen in the drawings, the device is formed by a body 1 provided with corresponding hollow projections 2. These projections 2 are preferably frustoconical in shape, following outwardly the contour of the nasal fossae. Their major bases 3 are provided with multiple perforations 4 while their minor bases 5 are open and furnished interiorly with corresponding hollow floating spheroidal members 6, the faces of which have a plurality of holes 7. Said members 6 have an inner filling of filtering material 8 such as gauze, activated carbon, or any other substance that could filter or retain air impurities without obstructing the passage of air while breathing. The said projections 2 are provided with corresponding temples 9 applicable to the outside of the nose or, after the manner of eyeglasses, to the ears in order thus to hold the nasal filter in place.

From the above, the function and operation of this device can readily be seen. In fact, said device is to be applied by introducing aforesaid projections 2 into the respective nasal fossae. The device is held there by means of temples 9, applied to the nostrils or ears, ac-

cording to the model. When breathing, the filtering spheres 6 will occlude the minor bases 5 and the aspirated air will be obliged to pass through perforations 7 and filtering substances 8, leaving the impurities behind. When the air is expelled through said holes, spheres 6 will descend until contact with the major bases 3 is obtained. In this manner, the expelled air will encounter no difficulty in reaching the atmosphere. This operation is repeated successively until the filtering substance is clogged and therefore at the end of its usefulness. The entire aid can be discarded, to be replaced by a new one when hygienic and prophylactic reasons make this advisable, such instant replacement being made further feasible by the low cost of the device.

It is evident that, when putting this invention into practice, structural modifications could be introduced as to model, materials, size, types of retaining and mounting the temples, shape of the projections and adaptation thereof to the nasal fossae., types and materials for the spheroid members and their filtering substances. In general, sundry variations can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, which is clearly defined in the following claims:

I claim:

1. Nasal filter, characterized by the fact of being formed by a body having two hollow projections in the form of frusto-conical chambers, which can be located in the nasal fossae, the major bases of which are closed and provided with a plurality of holes, the minor bases being open; said chambers having; two corresponding spheroidal hollow members the laminiform facings of which are perforated and their diameters being somewhat larger than the inside diameters of the minor bases and considerably smaller than the diameters of the major bases of said projections and being of such a size with respect to said chambers so as to be freely movable therein, said spheroid members being filled with filtering substances and said projections being provided with retaining temples to be applied to the outer part of the nasal fossae.

V 2. Nasal filter according to the foregoing claim, characterized by the fact that the retaining temples are formed so as to extend laterally from the outer wall of said projections and then parallel to the said projections whereby the said retaining temples are formed appropriately to be applied to the sides of the nostrils. 

1. Nasal filter, characterized by the fact of being formed by a body having two hollow projections in the form of frusto-conical chambers, which can be located in the nasal fossae, the major bases of which are closed and provided with a plurality of holes, the minor bases being open; said chambers having two corresponding spheroidal hollow members the laminiform facings of which are perforated and their diameters being somewhat larger than the inside diameters of the minor bases and considerably smaller than the diameters of the major bases of said projections and being of such a size with respect to said chambers so as to be freely movable therein, said spheroid members being filled with filtering substances and said projections being provided with retaining temples to be applied to the outer part of the nasal fossae.
 2. Nasal filter according to the foregoing claim, characterized by the fact that the retaining temples are formed so as to extend laterally from the outer wall of said projections and then parallel to the said projections whereby the said retaining temples are formed appropriately to be applied to the sides of the nostrils. 